Formerly retired country music phenomenon Garth Brooks announced Thursday he would return to the stage to play an arena show benefiting flood relief in Nashville -- the first time he will perform in the Tennessee capital since 1998.Shelley Mays/AP

The formerly retired country music phenomenon Garth Brooks announced Thursday he would return to the stage to play an arena show benefiting flood relief in Nashville — the first time he will perform in the Tennessee capital since 1998.

The 48-year-old will perform his only arena show in 2010 alongside his wife, fellow country musician Trisha Yearwood, at the December 17 concert at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.

“I have watched with great pride how the Volunteer State has pulled together to rise above the damage suffered by the floods,” said the Goodlettsville, Tenn., resident in a statement.

“If you come to Nashville you’ll see the band and me as you know us with the lighting and sound that you know. We are following in the footsteps of those who already set the example. We are all Tennesseans helping Tennessee,” he added.

The Oklahoma native is the best selling solo artist in U.S. history having sold over 128 million albums worldwide. He officially retired in 2001 to spend more time with his family but in 2009 began performing on occasion at the Wynn Resort in Las Vegas.

In May, severe rain caused the Cumberland River, which flows through downtown Nashville, to overflow resulting in over $2 billion worth of damage.

On September 29, the Grand Ole Opry House reopened after being closed for nearly five months when the historic stage suffered $20 million in damage during the May flooding.